Dewdney Players Group Theatre present Cinderella – A British Pantomime.

I asked Nicola Payton, Director for Cinderella. What is a British Pantomime?

Here is her answer:

Most countries outside Britain hear the word pantomime and think 'miming'. Believe me, there is nothing quiet about a British pantomime!

Pantomime (informally panto) is a type of musical comedy stage production, designed for family entertainment. It was developed in England and is still performed there. Modern pantomime includes songs, slapstick comedy and dancing, employs gender-crossing actors, and combines topical humour with a story based on a well-known fairy tale, fable or folk tale.

Audience participation is everything at a panto. Don’t be shy! Join in with the characters as they sing songs, answer them when they talk to you, help them out when you see things happening behind them and most importantly boo and hiss as loud as you can when the villain comes on!

It’s a wonderful way to entertain children, involving them interactively with the characters on stage, encouraging them to cheer, enlisting their help to support good characters against the baddies. And because panto works on two levels, there's plenty for the adults to enjoy as well. Vaguely risqué double entendres, often wringing innuendo out of perfectly innocent phrases are, in theory, over the heads of the children in the audience and is for the entertainment of the adults

The centerpiece of any panto is The Dame, a comic, larger than life character, played by a man.
For Dewdney Players Cinderella, we have two Dames, the ugly sisters. They are almost always accompanied by our villain, the evil stepmother.

The Villain is always very mean and nasty and must be booed and hissed by the audience at every opportunity!

The Principal Boy is the romantic male lead and is played by a woman, he doesn't have a catchphrase but does slap his thigh, a lot! Prince Charming is our principle boy, often accompanied by his best friend Dandini (played by a man!)

Buttons is Cinderellas best friend and is the character who speaks to the audience the most.

And of course, we have the Fairy Godmother who, with your help, can save the day.

Buy your tickets now so you can meet all our fantastic characters, and enjoy a theatrical experience for all ages!

Thank you Nicola

So now you know and you know that you must come and see for yourself. Grab a bunch of friends, grab the family, and come out for a laugh.

Evening shows all start at 7:30pm dates are as follows:

January 29, 30

February 4,5,6

February 11,12,13

Matinee shows all start at 2:00pm dates are as follows:

February 6, 13

click here website  for ticket information

Here is a sneak peek from one of the rehearsals.